The Associated Press Acquires Capitol Wire

Posted on August 23, 2002

The Associated Press announced that it has acquired Capitol Wire, a Web-based news and information service devoted to the coverage of state governments for a professional audience. Capitol Wire operates a subscription-based website (capitolwire.com) serving government, politics and business with news and other information from state capitals in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Virginia.

The acquisition enables AP to expand its offerings in regional markets for government and corporate information. The Capitol Wire service will be expanded and marketed through the AP's Information Services department, which serves those markets. Peter J. Shelly, a founder of Capitol Wire who will continue with the company under AP, said he and his staff were excited about becoming part of AP.

Louis D. Boccardi, president and chief executive officer of the news cooperative, said the news and information gathered for the Capitol Wire service would be used to enrich existing AP state news services for AP's newspaper and broadcast members.

"Capitol Wire is a good strategic fit for AP," said Boccardi. "We are already in the business of licensing certain content to corporate and government customers and this acquisition provides a sound base to extend our reach in that growing market."

Capitol Wire's site provides original news reporting and other information resources, such as databases of pending legislation, regulatory actions and contract opportunities. The site also provides selected links to state news stories appearing on other websites. Capitol Wire was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Middletown, Pa. It operates news bureaus in Harrisburg, Pa.; Albany, N.Y.; Trenton, N.J.; Columbus, Ohio; and Richmond, Va.



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